The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-07-08


man. Presently he spoke in measured tones
~ have proved myself better man than
yourself once, Frank Muller, and if necessary
/ will again, notwithstanding that knife
of yours. But, in the meantime, l wish to
remind you that have pass signed by your
own general guaranteeing our safety. And
now. Mr.. Muller" with flash of the blue
ewes, II am ready" The Dutchman drew the
knife and then replaced it in its sheath. For
moment he was minded to end the matter
then and there, but suddenly remembered,
even in his rage, that there was witness.
"a pass from the general" he said, forget
ting his caution in his fury; ''much good a
pass from the general is likely to be to you.
You are in my power, man! If l choose to
close my hand can crush you. But there
there" he added, checking himself, "perhaps
ought to make allowances You are one of
defeated people, and no dou6t are sore, and
say what you do not mean. Anyhow, there
is an end of it, especially in the presence of a
lady, Some day we may be able to settle
our trouble like men, Capt. Mel; till then,
with your permission, we will let it drop"
"Quite so, Mr.. Muller" said John, "only you
must not ask me to shake hands with you"
every good, Capt. Mel: and now. if you
will allow me. will tell the boy to get your
horses in; we must be getting on if we are to
reach Heidelberg tonight" And he bowed
himself out, feeling that his temper had once
more endangered the success of his plans
"Curse the mani" he said to himself, "he is
what those English call a gentleman. 1t was
brave of him to refuse to take my hand when
he is in my power"
"John," said jess, as soon as the door had
closed, II am afraid of that man. If
had understood that he had anything to do
with the pass l would not have taken it.
thought that the writing was familiar to me.
Oh, dear! wish we had stopped at Pre-.
toria."
"What can't be cured must be endured"
said John, again. "The only thing to do is
to make the best of it, and get on as we can.
You will be all right anyhow, but he hates
me like poison. l suppose that it is on ac-
count of Bessie"
ayes, that's it," said Jess; che is madly in
love with Bessie, or was"
ut is curious to think that a man like that
can be in love-" remarked John, as be lit his
pipe. "but il only shows what queer mix
lures people are. say, jess, if this fellow
hates me So what made him give ME the
pass, eh? What's his gamef'
jess shook her head as she answered, II
don't know, John; don't like it."
II suppose he can't mean to murder me; he
did try it Oh once, you know"
"Oh, no, john" she answered, with a sort
of cry, mot that"
"Well don't know that it would matter
much" he said, with an approach to cheer
fitness which was rather failure. ut would
CO va n faa1 Of nd cp1 Mt 70
things bit. But there, / frightened you,
and dare say that he is, for the present, at
any rate. all honest man. and has no inten:
tons on my person. Look! there is Mouti
calling us. l wonder if those brutes have
given him anything to eat. Well collar the
rest of this leg of mutton on chance. At any
rate, Frank Muller sha'n't starve me to
death, and with cheerful laugh he left the
room.
In a few minutes they were on their road
again. As they started Frank Muller came
up, took off his hat and informed them that
he would probably join them on the morrow
below Heidelberg, in which town they would
find every preparation to enable them to
spend the night comfortably. If he did not
join them it would be because he was detained
on duty. In that case the two men had his Or
ders to escort them safely to Mooifontein,
and, he added significantly, II do not think
you will be troubled with any further impo-
In another moment he had galloped off on
his great black horse, leaving the pair consid-
erably mystified and not a little relieved.
"Well," said John, "at any rate that does
not look like foul play unless, indeed, he has
gone on to prepare warm reception for u.s."
Jess shrugged her shoulders; she could not
make it out; and then they settled themselves
down to their long and lonely drive They
had forty odd miles to cover, but the guides,
or rather the guard, would only consent to
their outspanning once, which they did on
the open veldt little before sunset. At sun
down they inspanned again and starte across
the darkening veldt The road was in a
shocking state, and until the moon got up.
which 1t did about 0 o'clock, the journey was
both difficult and dangerous. After that
things were little better; and at last, about
IL o'clock, they got into Heidelberg. The
town seemed almost deserted. Evidently the
great body of the Beers were at the front and
had only left guard at their seat of govern
ment.
where are we to outspang" asked John of
the Unicorn, who was jogging on alongside,
half asleep.
"At the hotel" was the short reply, and
thither they went, and thankful enough thew
were to get there, and to find, from the lights
in the windows, that the people were still up.
Standing at the inn door, holding light
above her head, they found pleasant look.
ing Englishwoman, who welcomed them
heartily.
Frank Muller was here three hours ago |
and told me to expect you," she said; @and |
very glad am to see an English face again, |
can tell you. My name is Gooch. Tell me,
IS my husband all right in Pictorial He went |
up there with his wagon just before the siege
began, and have not heard word from him |
since"
EYES," said John, 'he is all right. He was
slightly wounded in the shoulder month ago,
out he is quite recovered"
''Oh, thank Godr said the poor woman, be-
ginning to cry; "those devils told me that he
vas dead-to torment me, l suppose. Come
n, miss; there is some hot supper ready when
7ou have washed your hands. The boys will
ee to the horses" |